Home remedies for eye allergies, swollen eyes, and eye inflammation symptoms.

There are many different types of eye inflammations depending on what area of the eye becomes inflamed, each condition differing in its symptoms and severity:

• Conjunctivitis - commonly known as pinkeye, conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva which is the clear membrane that covers the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Many causes are associated with this condition including bacterial and viral infections, allergies and eye irritants.
• Episcleritis - an inflammatory condition of the episclera which is the connective tissue between the conjunctiva and sclera. The cause of episcleritis is uncertain.
• Blepharitis – an inflammation of the eyelids, often as the result of poor hygiene, chronically dry eyes or oily skin.
• Keratitis – an inflammation of the cornea region of the eye. This is often caused by bacterial or fungal infections and is increasingly prevalent in those with poor contact lens hygiene.
• Uveitis – an inflammation of the eyeball which is generally considered to be one of the more serious forms of eye inflammation. There are also a number of types of Uveitis depending on what area of the eye ball is infected and these may include: Iritis, Cyclitis, Retinitis and Choroiditis.
• Scleritis - an inflammation of the sclera or white of the eye.

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• Overuse of prescription and over the counter eye drops. Many people use eye drops to soothe mildly irritated eyes and prolonged use can cause a “rebound affect”. This is when your eyes become sore and irritated until you use the drops again, thus creating a kind of dependency on the eye drop affect.
• A deficiency of vitamin A may make you more susceptible to eye infections and other eye problems.
• Allergies are a fairly common cause of eye inflammation and can cause persistent eye irritation. Allergic rhinitis triggered by pollen, seasonal changes, house dust-mites, molds or pets can often result in itchy and inflamed eyes.
• Contact lens use may cause inflammation or infection, especially if hygienic measures are not taken. Hands should be washed before putting in and taking our contact lenses, the correct solution should be used and proper storage methods kept. Problems also occur when particles get trapped between the lens and the eye, causing irritation, or the lenses are worn too long.
• Some illnesses such as measles, herpes, and diabetes may cause eye inflammation. Sexually transmitted diseases are also easily spread to the eye area.
• Sometimes foreign matter or foreign substances such as dust, grit or plant-sap gets trapped under the eyelid causing inflammation and discomfort.
• The use of certain eye cosmetics, and cosmetics that have exceeded their expiry date.
• Surgery, trauma, or injury to the eye.
• Inflammatory conditions such as lupus, arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome
• Viral and bacterial infections

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Medical treatment ranges form antibiotic eye lotions and drops, to over the counter solutions, antihistamine tablets and corticosteroids depending on cause and type of eye inflammation. It is important to make sure you know all the side effects of any medication you may be considering as sometimes the medical treatment causes more complications than the actual eye inflammation!

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Make a warm or cold compress by using a clean cloth or cotton swab. Use only boiled or purified water to wet the cloth and place this on the closed eye. A warm compress typically helps to reduce discomfort, while a cold compress works well to reduce itchiness and inflammation.

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In many cases, eye inflammations are a bother more than anything else and tend to go away soon enough. Some cases however, are more serious and should be treated accordingly. Whatever the cause, nature has a few effective herbal and homeopathic remedies that can help with over-all eye health thus promoting recovery and preventing complications to begin with! A well known and commonly used herb for eye health is Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) which is used to strengthen eye capillaries, prevent eye-related disease and infection, and restore the eyes to a problem-free state. Other herbal ingredients such as Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) and Sutherlandia frutescens work as effective anti-oxidants and assist to maintain a healthy supply of blood, oxygen and essential nutrients to the eye – all of which are essential to the rapid recovery from any eye condition.

A strong and healthy immune system is vital in protecting against any infection, including infections of the eye and eye allergies. Home remedies for eye allergies include herbs well known for their tonic effect on the immune system. These include Echinacea, Olea europea and Astragalus membranaceous, while Propolis (a bee product) has been used for many years as an immune system strengthener.

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Eye inflammation and infections are fairly easily prevented. Just by taking a few precautions, you can avoid many bothersome eye conditions:

• Wash your hands before and after touching your eyes or face.
• Do not share eye makeup, and make sure you throw out any eye make-up older than 6 months. If you have had a viral or bacterial eye infection, throw the make-up that you used during this period out as it may be contaminated.
• If you have allergies, try your best to avoid allergens and keep an allergy-free living environment. Avoid foods that trigger reactions.
• Do not share contact lens equipment, containers, or solutions and ensure that you keep the lenses sterile.
• Never use saliva in place of contact solution.
• Don’t share towels, pillows, or washcloths with others, especially if they have an eye infection or other viral and bacterial condition such as cold sores.
• Change pillowcases and wash towels and bedding frequently.
• Use immune system boosters to boost your immune system to help prevent infection as well as to encourage faster healing.

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